​“Students learn by trying and doing,” the ZSpace homepage narrates. “Students can try and do without fear of breaking materials, spilling chemicals, making a wrong incision, or blowing up a circuit.”   Learning through artificial reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) experiences is the main idea behind ZSpace applications. ZSpace functions like a typical desktop computer and combines with the use of lightweight glasses and a stylus to create a three-dimensional experience for the student. The ZSpace software application tracks the user's eyewear and tells the system in real time how to illustrate the object on the screen like a real, tangible object in front of the user. ZSpace software also tracks the stylus, enabling the user to interact with objects projected in the screen. Users can move around and dissect the object before them. ZSpace provides learning experiences for kindergarten through twelfth grade, health-science and medical processes, agri-science, transportation, and advanced manufacturing and skilled trades.
 
Brownwood High School Health Science Technology Teacher, Annalyn Deen, has been incorporating this advanced training into her classroom after receiving a grant from the Brownwood Education Foundation in 2019. She incorporates the Anatomy program on the computer to help students learn. “The students use it to conceptualize the different body systems,” Deen said. The human anatomy parts, “literally jump off the screen. This greatly increases their understanding of the body system being studied.” Students can see the models in front of the screen and explore all the dimensions of the elements they are studying. This takes the idea of ‘pen and paper’ to ‘tactile object’ for the student. Tabletop virtual reality is transforming education today, and BHS leads the way in innovative education technology.
 
The Brownwood Education Foundation (BEF) provides grants to teachers so they may incorporate advanced STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) initiatives into BHS classrooms. STEM projects engage students’ senses, creativity, and tactile learning practices, which makes learning process more memorable and fascinating to students. The BEF 50x1000 fundraiser provides funds directly to STEM initiatives in Brownwood classrooms. To be a part of this crucial community effort, where 1,000 people each donate $50, visit http://supportbisd.com/50x1000.

During the BISD Convocation ceremony held on August 13 for faculty and staff, the Brownwood Education Foundation awarded its 2018 Classroom Grants.
 
Those chosen to receive grants were:

• Elizabeth Clevenger – Woodland Heights Elementary
  Read All About It: Storyworks Jr. Subscriptions - $363
• Natasha Brown – East Elementary
  Osmo Coding and Pizza Co Software and Flexible Seating - $302
• Jennifer Bowden & Natasha Brown – East Elementary
  STEM Early Learning Kits - $1,239.90
• Melanie Terrill – Brownwood High School
  Planetary Pasta Rovers - $300
• Melissa Edwards – Woodland Heights Elementary
  #Aidyn's Area 51 STEM Play Equipment - $2,500

 
The Brownwood Education Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization which raises funds to support Brownwood ISD through innovate teaching grants, Distinguished and Rising Star Teacher Awards, and teacher appreciation efforts.  To support the Foundation, please visit www.supportbisd.com or attend the Foundation’s 3rd Annual Lion’s Pride Gala: Louisiana Saturday Night scheduled for October 20, 2018, at the Brownwood Regional Airport hanger.  Tickets are available on the website and at the Brownwood ISD Central Office.  Foundation Board Members also have tickets available for sale.

During the BISD Convocation ceremony held on August 14 for faculty and staff, the Brownwood Education Foundation awarded its 2017 Classroom Grants for Innovate Teaching.  Applications for grant funds were received during May and early June of this year, after which a committee of Foundation board members and representatives from BISD Administration reviewed the requests and selected the 2017 recipients.
 
Those chosen to receive grants were:

• Angela Fabbiani, BISD Gifted and Talented Coordinator, received a grant of $1,204.78 for her initiative entitled “Building Thinkers through Engaging Learning Experiences.”
• Patricia Sanchez, Woodland Heights Elementary teacher, received a grant of $1,800 for her initiative entitled “Listening Centers.”
• Angie Bertrand, Woodland Heights Elementary teacher, received a grant of $713.90 for her initiative entitled “Math Reads.”
• Kristi Owen, BHS teacher, received a grant of $1,320.00 for a team initiative entitled “K’nex to Understanding DNA, Replication and Transcription.”
• Robert Howington, BMS Shop teacher, received a grant of $3,734.00 for the purchase of a Saw Stop Table Saw with enhanced safety features to replace a 50-year old saw.
• Meghan Blake, Northwest Elementary librarian, received a grant of $936.86 for her initiative entitled “STEM Marketplace.”
• Julie Mize, BMS Art teacher, received a grant of $2,006.20 for a potter’s wheel.
• Teresa Brandstetter, BMS teacher, received a grant of $174.80, for her initiative entitled “Lighting Makes All the Difference.”

 
Of 18 grant requests received, the Brownwood Education Foundation funded eight initiatives, with funding for three other requests coming from either district or donated funds. 
 
The Brownwood Education Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization which raises funds to support Brownwood ISD through innovate teaching grants, Distinguished and Rising Star Teacher Awards, and teacher appreciation efforts.  To support the Foundation, please visit www.supportbisd.com or attend the Foundation’s 2nd Annual Lion’s Pride Gala: A 40’s Affair scheduled for October 14, 2017, at the Brownwood Regional Airport hanger.  Tickets are available on the website, at the Brownwood ISD Central Office or the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce.  Foundation Board Members also have tickets available for sale.